第054回 In the Land of Women the Queen Seeks to Wed Tang Sanzang

第054回Chapter 54

話說三藏師徒別了村舍人家，依路西進，不上三四十里，早到西梁國界。Now, Sanzang and his disciples took leave of the village household and pressed on westward along the road; before they had gone thirty or forty li, they soon reached the border of the Kingdom of Women of Western Liang.唐僧在馬上指道：「悟空，前面城池相近，市井上人語喧嘩，想是西梁女國。Tang Sanzang, pointing from his horse, said, "Wukong, a city wall is close ahead, and I hear the clamor of voices in the marketplace — this must be the Womanland of Western Liang.汝等須要仔細，謹慎規矩，切休放蕩情懷，紊亂法門教旨。」三人聞言，謹遵嚴命。You must all be careful and mind your conduct; on no account let your hearts run wild and disturb the teachings of our faith." The three of them, hearing this, respectfully obeyed his strict command.

话说三藏师徒别了村舍人家，依路西进，不上三四十里，早到西梁国界。唐僧在马上指道：「悟空，前面城池相近，市井上人语喧哗，想是西梁女国。汝等须要仔细，谨慎规矩，切休放荡情怀，紊乱法门教旨。」三人闻言，谨遵严命。

言未盡，卻至東關廂街口。Before he had finished speaking, they arrived at the mouth of the street by the eastern gate.那裡人都是長裙短襖，粉面油頭，不分老少，盡是婦女。There, everyone wore long skirts and short jackets, with powdered faces and oiled hair — old or young, every one of them was a woman.正在兩街上做買做賣，忽見他四眾來時，一齊都鼓掌呵呵，整容歡笑道：「人種來了，人種來了。」慌得那三藏勒馬難行。They were just then buying and selling along the two sides of the street when they suddenly saw the four pilgrims arrive; all at once they clapped their hands and laughed heartily, composing their faces into smiles and crying, "Here come the seed of humankind! Here come the seed of humankind!" This so flustered Sanzang that he reined in his horse and could not go forward.須臾間就塞滿街道，惟聞笑語。In a moment the street was packed solid, and nothing could be heard but laughter and chatter.八戒口裡亂嚷道：「我是個銷豬，我是個銷豬。」行者道：「獃子，莫胡談，拿出舊嘴臉便是。」八戒真個把頭搖上兩搖，豎起一雙蒲扇耳，扭動蓮蓬吊搭唇，發一聲喊，把那些婦女們諕得跌跌爬爬。Bajie shouted wildly, "I'm a pig for sale! I'm a pig for sale!" Wukong said, "Idiot, don't talk nonsense — just show them your old face." Bajie really did shake his head twice, prick up his two fan-like ears, and twist his lotus-pod snout, giving out a great roar, which so terrified the women that they stumbled and scrambled over one another.有詩為證。There is a poem as proof.詩曰：The poem says:

言未尽，却至东关厢街口。那里人都是长裙短袄，粉面油头，不分老少，尽是妇女。正在两街上做买做卖，忽见他四众来时，一齐都鼓掌呵呵，整容欢笑道：「人种来了，人种来了。」慌得那三藏勒马难行。须臾间就塞满街道，惟闻笑语。八戒口里乱嚷道：「我是个销猪，我是个销猪。」行者道：「呆子，莫胡谈，拿出旧嘴脸便是。」八戒真个把头摇上两摇，竖起一双蒲扇耳，扭动莲蓬吊搭唇，发一声喊，把那些妇女们諕得跌跌爬爬。有诗为证。诗曰：

遂此眾皆恐懼，不敢上前。At this the whole crowd was struck with fear and dared not come forward.一個個都捻手矬腰，搖頭咬指，戰戰兢兢，排塞街傍路下，都看唐僧。One after another they wrung their hands, bent their waists, shook their heads, gnawed their fingers, and trembling all over, crowded along the sides of the road, all staring at Sanzang.孫大聖卻也弄出醜相開路；The Great Sage Sun, for his part, made an ugly face to clear the way ahead;沙僧也裝��虎維持；Sha Seng too put on a fierce tiger-like look to guard the rear;八戒採著馬，掬著嘴，擺著耳朵。Bajie led the horse, poking out his lips and flapping his ears.

遂此众皆恐惧，不敢上前。一个个都捻手矬腰，摇头咬指，战战兢兢，排塞街傍路下，都看唐僧。孙大圣却也弄出丑相开路；沙僧也装𡤫虎维持；八戒采著马，掬著嘴，摆著耳朵。

一行前進，又見那市井上房屋齊整，鋪面軒昂，一般有賣鹽賣米，酒肆茶房；As they went forward in a line, they saw that the shops and houses of the marketplace were neat and orderly, the storefronts imposing and grand — there were shops selling salt and rice alike, and wine-houses and teahouses;鼓角樓臺通貨殖，旗亭候館掛簾櫳。Drum-and-horn towers and terraces where every kind of goods was traded; flag-topped pavilions and inns hung with curtained blinds.師徒們轉彎抹角，忽見有一女官侍立街下，高聲叫道：「遠來的使客，不可擅入城門。As master and disciples turned this corner and that, they suddenly saw a woman official standing by the street, who called out loudly, "Envoys from afar, you may not enter the city gate without leave.請投館驛，註名上簿，待下官執名奏駕，驗引放行。」三藏聞言下馬，觀看那衙門上有一匾，上書「迎陽驛」三字。Please go to the post-house and register your names in the ledger; then this official will report your names to Her Majesty, and once your passport is verified, you will be let through." Hearing this, Sanzang dismounted and looked, and saw a plaque over the office gate bearing the three characters "Welcoming Yang Post-House."長老道：「悟空，那村舍人家傳言是實，果有迎陽之驛。」沙僧笑道：「二哥，你卻去照胎泉邊照照，看可有雙影？」八戒道：「莫弄我。The elder said, "Wukong, what the villagers told us was true — there really is a 'Welcoming Yang' post-house." Sha Seng said with a laugh, "Second Brother, why don't you go look at yourself in the Abortion Spring and see if there are still two shadows?" Bajie said, "Don't tease me.我自吃了那盞兒落胎泉水，已此打下胎來了，還照他怎的？」三藏回頭吩咐道：「悟能，謹言，謹言。」遂上前與那女官作禮。I already drank a cup of that Water-that-Aborts-the-Fetus and dropped the child already — why would I need to look again?" Sanzang turned his head and warned, "Wuneng, mind your words, mind your words." Then he stepped forward and made his bow to the woman official.

一行前进，又见那市井上房屋齐整，铺面轩昂，一般有卖盐卖米，酒肆茶房；鼓角楼台通货殖，旗亭候馆挂帘栊。师徒们转弯抹角，忽见有一女官侍立街下，高声叫道：「远来的使客，不可擅入城门。请投馆驿，注名上簿，待下官执名奏驾，验引放行。」三藏闻言下马，观看那衙门上有一匾，上书「迎阳驿」三字。长老道：「悟空，那村舍人家传言是实，果有迎阳之驿。」沙僧笑道：「二哥，你却去照胎泉边照照，看可有双影？」八戒道：「莫弄我。我自吃了那盏儿落胎泉水，已此打下胎来了，还照他怎的？」三藏回头吩咐道：「悟能，谨言，谨言。」遂上前与那女官作礼。

女官引路，請他們都進驛內，正廳坐下，即喚看茶。The woman official led the way and invited them all into the post-house, where they sat down in the main hall, and she at once called for tea to be brought.又見那手下人盡是三綹梳頭，兩截穿衣之類。They also saw that all her attendants had their hair combed into three locks and wore garments cut in two pieces.你看他拿茶的也笑。Look — even the one bringing the tea was smiling.少頃，茶罷。After a little while, the tea was finished.女官欠身問曰：「使客何來？」行者道：「我等乃東土大唐王駕下欽差上西天拜佛求經者。The woman official rose slightly and asked, "Where have the envoys come from?" Wukong replied, "We are envoys sent by decree of the King of the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, bound for the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures.我師父便是唐王御弟，號曰唐三藏。My master is none other than the Tang King's sworn brother, styled Tang Sanzang.我乃他大徒弟孫悟空。I am his senior disciple, Sun Wukong.這兩個是我師弟豬悟能、沙悟淨。These two are my fellow disciples, Zhu Wuneng and Sha Wujing.一行連馬五口。Altogether, with the horse, we number five.隨身有通關文牒，乞為照驗放行。」那女官執筆寫罷，下來叩頭道：「老爺恕罪。We carry with us a passport for crossing the borders, and beg you to examine it and let us pass." When the woman official had finished writing this down, she came forward and bowed, saying, "Forgive my offense, my lord.下官乃迎陽驛驛丞，實不知上邦老爺，知當遠接。」拜畢起身，即令管事的安排飲饌。This lowly official is but the postmaster of the Welcoming Yang Post-House, and truly did not know that a lord from the Superior Kingdom had come — I ought to have gone far out to receive you." Having finished her bow, she rose and at once ordered the steward to prepare food and drink.道：「爺爺們寬坐一時，待下官進城啟奏我王，倒換關文，打發領給，送老爺們西進。」三藏欣然而坐不題。She said, "My lords, please be seated at ease for a while; allow this official to go into the city to report to our Queen and have your passport renewed and stamped, so that you may be sent on your way west." Sanzang sat down cheerfully; we need say no more of that for now.

女官引路，请他们都进驿内，正厅坐下，即唤看茶。又见那手下人尽是三绺梳头，两截穿衣之类。你看他拿茶的也笑。少顷，茶罢。女官欠身问曰：「使客何来？」行者道：「我等乃东土大唐王驾下钦差上西天拜佛求经者。我师父便是唐王御弟，号曰唐三藏。我乃他大徒弟孙悟空。这两个是我师弟猪悟能、沙悟净。一行连马五口。随身有通关文牒，乞为照验放行。」那女官执笔写罢，下来叩头道：「老爷恕罪。下官乃迎阳驿驿丞，实不知上邦老爷，知当远接。」拜毕起身，即令管事的安排饮馔。道：「爷爷们宽坐一时，待下官进城启奏我王，倒换关文，打发领给，送老爷们西进。」三藏欣然而坐不题。

且說那驛丞整了衣冠，徑入城中五鳳樓前，對黃門官道：「我是迎陽館驛丞，有事見駕。」黃門即時啟奏。Now to speak of the postmaster: she straightened her cap and robes and went directly into the city, before the Five Phoenix Tower, and said to the Gate Official, "I am the postmaster of the Welcoming Yang Post-House, and I have a matter to report to the throne." The Gate Official at once relayed her petition.降旨傳宣至殿，問曰：「驛丞有何事來奏？」驛丞道：「微臣在驛，接得東土大唐王御弟唐三藏，有三個徒弟，名喚孫悟空、豬悟能、沙悟淨，連馬五口，欲上西天拜佛取經。An edict was issued summoning her to the hall, where she was asked, "Postmaster, what matter have you come to report?" The postmaster said, "Your humble servant, at the post-house, received the sworn brother of the King of Great Tang in the Eastern Land, Tang Sanzang, who has three disciples named Sun Wukong, Zhu Wuneng, and Sha Wujing, five in all counting the horse, bound for the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and fetch the scriptures.特來啟奏主公，可許他倒換關文放行？」女王聞奏，滿心歡喜，對眾文武道：「寡人夜來夢見金屏生彩艷，玉鏡展光明，乃是今日之喜兆也。」眾女官擁拜丹墀道：「主公，怎見得是今日之喜兆？」女王道：「東土男人，乃唐朝御弟。I have come especially to report to my sovereign, and to ask whether they may be granted a renewed passport and permitted to pass." When the Queen heard this report, her heart filled with joy, and she said to her assembled civil and military officials, "Last night I dreamed that the golden screen burst into brilliant color and the jade mirror shone with radiant light — this must be today's auspicious omen." All the woman officials bowed before the vermilion steps and said, "Your Majesty, how do you know this is today's auspicious omen?" The Queen said, "The man from the Eastern Land is the sworn brother of the Tang King.我國中自混沌開闢之時，累代帝王，更不曾見個男人至此。In our kingdom, ever since the primal chaos was first parted, through all the generations of monarchs, never once has a man been seen to come here.幸今唐王御弟下降，想是天賜來的。Now, by good fortune, the sworn brother of the Tang King has descended upon us — surely he was sent by Heaven.寡人以一國之富，願招御弟為王，我願為后，與他陰陽配合，生子生孫，永傳帝業，卻不是今日之喜兆也？」眾女官拜舞稱揚，無不歡悅。With the wealth of my whole kingdom, I wish to take the sworn brother as my king and become his queen myself, joining yin and yang together, bearing sons and grandsons, to hand down the imperial line forever — is this not indeed today's auspicious omen?" All the woman officials bowed and danced in praise, every one of them delighted.

且说那驿丞整了衣冠，径入城中五凤楼前，对黄门官道：「我是迎阳馆驿丞，有事见驾。」黄门即时启奏。降旨传宣至殿，问曰：「驿丞有何事来奏？」驿丞道：「微臣在驿，接得东土大唐王御弟唐三藏，有三个徒弟，名唤孙悟空、猪悟能、沙悟净，连马五口，欲上西天拜佛取经。特来启奏主公，可许他倒换关文放行？」女王闻奏，满心欢喜，对众文武道：「寡人夜来梦见金屏生彩艳，玉镜展光明，乃是今日之喜兆也。」众女官拥拜丹墀道：「主公，怎见得是今日之喜兆？」女王道：「东土男人，乃唐朝御弟。我国中自混沌开辟之时，累代帝王，更不曾见个男人至此。幸今唐王御弟下降，想是天赐来的。寡人以一国之富，愿招御弟为王，我愿为后，与他阴阳配合，生子生孙，永传帝业，却不是今日之喜兆也？」众女官拜舞称扬，无不欢悦。

驛丞又奏道：「主公之論，乃萬代傳家之好。The postmaster further reported, "Your Majesty's plan is a fine one that would benefit the royal house for ten thousand generations.但只是御弟三徒兇惡，不成相貌。」女王道：「卿見御弟怎生模樣？But it is only that the sworn brother's three disciples are fierce and savage, and hardly presentable in appearance." The Queen said, "What does the sworn brother look like in your view?他徒弟怎生兇醜？」驛丞道：「御弟相貌堂堂，丰姿英俊，誠是天朝上國之男兒，南贍中華之人物。And how fierce and ugly are his disciples?" The postmaster said, "The sworn brother's countenance is dignified and imposing, his bearing refined and heroic — truly a fine son of the Celestial Dynasty, a figure worthy of the Southern Continent of China.那三徒卻是形容獰惡，相貌如精。」女王道：「既如此，把他徒弟與他領給，倒換關文，打發他往西天，只留下御弟，有何不可？」眾官拜奏道：「主公之言極當，臣等欽此欽遵。But his three disciples are hideous and fierce in appearance, more like demons." The Queen said, "If that is so, then let his disciples be given their travel permit and a renewed passport, and send them on to the Western Heaven, keeping only the sworn brother here — what objection could there be?" The officials bowed and reported, "Your Majesty's words are entirely fitting; your servants respectfully obey.但只是匹配之事，無媒不可。But a matter of marriage cannot proceed without a matchmaker.自古道：『姻緣配合憑紅葉，月老夫妻繫赤繩。』」女王道：「依卿所奏，就著當駕太師作媒，迎陽驛丞主婚，先去驛中與御弟求親。As the old saying goes: 'A marriage bond is tied by a red leaf; husband and wife are bound by the Old Man of the Moon's crimson cord.'" The Queen said, "In accordance with what you have petitioned, let the Grand Preceptor in attendance act as matchmaker, and the postmaster of the Welcoming Yang Post-House preside over the marriage; go first to the post-house and seek the sworn brother's hand.待他許可，寡人卻擺駕出城迎接。」那太師、驛丞領旨出朝。Once he has consented, I myself will have my carriage made ready and go out of the city to receive him." The Grand Preceptor and the postmaster received the decree and left the court.

驿丞又奏道：「主公之论，乃万代传家之好。但只是御弟三徒凶恶，不成相貌。」女王道：「卿见御弟怎生模样？他徒弟怎生凶丑？」驿丞道：「御弟相貌堂堂，丰姿英俊，诚是天朝上国之男儿，南赡中华之人物。那三徒却是形容狞恶，相貌如精。」女王道：「既如此，把他徒弟与他领给，倒换关文，打发他往西天，只留下御弟，有何不可？」众官拜奏道：「主公之言极当，臣等钦此钦遵。但只是匹配之事，无媒不可。自古道：『姻缘配合凭红叶，月老夫妻系赤绳。』」女王道：「依卿所奏，就著当驾太师作媒，迎阳驿丞主婚，先去驿中与御弟求亲。待他许可，寡人却摆驾出城迎接。」那太师、驿丞领旨出朝。

卻說三藏師徒們在驛廳上正享齋飯，只見外面人報：「當駕太師與我們本官老姆來了。」三藏道：「太師來卻是何意？」八戒道：「怕是女王請我們也。」行者道：「不是相請，就是說親。」三藏道：「悟空，假如不放，強逼成親，卻怎麼是好？」行者道：「師父只管允他，老孫自有處治。」Now to speak of Sanzang and his disciples: they were in the hall of the post-house just then enjoying their vegetarian meal, when someone from outside reported, "The Grand Preceptor in attendance and our postmaster are here." Sanzang said, "What could the Grand Preceptor's coming mean?" Bajie said, "Perhaps the Queen is inviting us." Wukong said, "It's not an invitation — it's a marriage proposal." Sanzang said, "Wukong, suppose they will not let us go and force a marriage upon us — what then shall we do?" Wukong said, "Master, just agree to whatever he says; old Monkey will have a plan to deal with it."

却说三藏师徒们在驿厅上正享斋饭，只见外面人报：「当驾太师与我们本官老姆来了。」三藏道：「太师来却是何意？」八戒道：「怕是女王请我们也。」行者道：「不是相请，就是说亲。」三藏道：「悟空，假如不放，强逼成亲，却怎么是好？」行者道：「师父只管允他，老孙自有处治。」

說不了，二女官早至，對長老下拜。Before he had finished speaking, the two woman officials had already arrived and bowed before the elder.長老一一還禮道：「貧僧出家人，有何德能，敢勞大人下拜？」那太師見長老相貌軒昂，心中暗喜道：「我國中實有造化，這個男子，卻也做得我王之夫。」二官拜畢起來，侍立左右道：「御弟爺爺，萬千之喜了。」三藏道：「我出家人，喜從何來？」太師躬身道：「此處乃西梁女國，國中自來沒個男子。The elder returned their bows one by one, saying, "I am but a poor monk who has left the household life — what virtue or ability have I, that I should trouble you great officials to bow to me?" Seeing the elder's dignified and imposing appearance, the Grand Preceptor secretly rejoiced, thinking, "Truly our kingdom is blessed with good fortune — this man would well serve as a husband for our Queen." When the two officials had finished their bows, they rose and stood attending on either side, saying, "Sworn Brother, my lord, ten thousand congratulations are due you!" Sanzang said, "I am a monk who has left the household life — what congratulations could there be for me?" The Grand Preceptor bowed low and said, "This place is the Womanland of Western Liang; in this kingdom there has never, from ancient times, been a single man.今幸御弟爺爺降臨，臣奉我王旨意，特來求親。」三藏道：「善哉，善哉！Now, by good fortune, my lord the sworn brother has descended upon us, and I, obeying my Queen's decree, have come especially to seek your hand in marriage." Sanzang said, "Merciful Heaven, merciful Heaven!我貧僧隻身來到貴地，又無兒女相隨，止有頑徒三個，不知大人求的是那個親事？」驛丞道：「下官才進朝啟奏，我王十分歡喜道，夜來得一吉夢，夢見金屏生彩艷，玉鏡展光明。I, a poor monk, have come alone to your honored land, with no wife or children accompanying me — only these three unruly disciples. I do not know which marriage match you are seeking?" The postmaster said, "This official just now went into court to report, and our Queen was overjoyed, saying that last night she had an auspicious dream, in which the golden screen burst into brilliant color and the jade mirror shone with radiant light.御弟乃中華上國男兒，我王願以一國之富，招贅御弟爺爺為夫，坐南面稱孤，我王願為帝后。Since the sworn brother is a fine son of China, the Superior Kingdom, our Queen is willing to give the wealth of her whole kingdom to take my lord the sworn brother as her consort, so that he may sit facing south and be styled sovereign, while our Queen herself becomes the empress.傳旨著太師作媒，下官主婚，故此特來求這親事也。」三藏聞言，低頭不語。She has issued a decree that the Grand Preceptor should act as matchmaker and this official preside over the marriage — and so we have come especially to seek this match." Hearing this, Sanzang lowered his head and said nothing.太師道：「大丈夫遇時，不可錯過。The Grand Preceptor said, "When a great man meets his moment, he must not let it slip by.似此招贅之事，天下雖有，託國之富，世上實稀。A match such as this, offered by marriage into royalty — though such things exist under Heaven, one where the whole wealth of a kingdom is entrusted to him is truly rare in this world.請御弟速允，庶好回奏。」長老越加痴啞。I beg the sworn brother to consent at once, so that I may properly report back." The elder grew all the more dumbstruck.

说不了，二女官早至，对长老下拜。长老一一还礼道：「贫僧出家人，有何德能，敢劳大人下拜？」那太师见长老相貌轩昂，心中暗喜道：「我国中实有造化，这个男子，却也做得我王之夫。」二官拜毕起来，侍立左右道：「御弟爷爷，万千之喜了。」三藏道：「我出家人，喜从何来？」太师躬身道：「此处乃西梁女国，国中自来没个男子。今幸御弟爷爷降临，臣奉我王旨意，特来求亲。」三藏道：「善哉，善哉！我贫僧只身来到贵地，又无儿女相随，止有顽徒三个，不知大人求的是那个亲事？」驿丞道：「下官才进朝启奏，我王十分欢喜道，夜来得一吉梦，梦见金屏生彩艳，玉镜展光明。御弟乃中华上国男儿，我王愿以一国之富，招赘御弟爷爷为夫，坐南面称孤，我王愿为帝后。传旨著太师作媒，下官主婚，故此特来求这亲事也。」三藏闻言，低头不语。太师道：「大丈夫遇时，不可错过。似此招赘之事，天下虽有，托国之富，世上实稀。请御弟速允，庶好回奏。」长老越加痴哑。

八戒在傍，掬著碓挺嘴叫道：「太師，你去上復國王：我師父乃久修得道的羅漢，決不愛你託國之富，也不愛你傾國之容。Bajie, standing by, poked out his pestle-like mouth and cried, "Grand Preceptor, go back and tell your Queen: my master is an arhat who has long cultivated the Way, and will certainly not covet your kingdom's wealth, nor be tempted by your kingdom-toppling beauty.快些兒倒換關文，打發他往西去，留我在此招贅，如何？」太師聞說，膽戰心驚，不敢回話。Quickly renew our passport and send him on his way west, and let me stay behind here to marry in instead — how about that?" Hearing this, the Grand Preceptor's heart trembled with fright, and he dared not reply.驛丞道：「你雖是個男身，但只形容醜陋，不中我王之意。」八戒笑道：「你甚不通變。The postmaster said, "Though you are indeed a man, your appearance is too coarse and ugly to suit our Queen's wishes." Bajie laughed and said, "You really don't know how to adapt to circumstances.常言道：『粗柳簸箕細柳斗，世上誰見男兒醜？』」行者道：「獃子，勿得胡談，任師父尊意，可行則行，可止則止。As the saying goes: 'Coarse willow makes a winnowing basket, fine willow makes a peck-measure — whoever in this world thought a man could be too ugly?'" Wukong said, "Idiot, don't talk such nonsense. Let our master decide as he sees fit — go if he should go, stop if he should stop.莫要擔閣了媒妁工夫。」Don't hold up the matchmakers' business."

八戒在傍，掬著碓挺嘴叫道：「太师，你去上复国王：我师父乃久修得道的罗汉，决不爱你托国之富，也不爱你倾国之容。快些儿倒换关文，打发他往西去，留我在此招赘，如何？」太师闻说，胆战心惊，不敢回话。驿丞道：「你虽是个男身，但只形容丑陋，不中我王之意。」八戒笑道：「你甚不通变。常言道：『粗柳簸箕细柳斗，世上谁见男儿丑？』」行者道：「呆子，勿得胡谈，任师父尊意，可行则行，可止则止。莫要担阁了媒妁工夫。」

三藏道：「悟空，憑你怎麼說好？」行者道：「依老孫說，你在這裡也好。Sanzang said, "Wukong, whatever you say is fine — what do you think we should do?" Wukong said, "In old Monkey's opinion, it would be fine for you to stay here.自古道『千里姻緣似線牽』哩，那裡再有這般相應處？」三藏道：「徒弟，我們在這裡貪圖富貴，誰去西天取經？As the old saying goes, 'A marriage bond a thousand li apart is drawn together by a single thread' — where else could you find such a fitting match as this?" Sanzang said, "Disciple, if we were to covet wealth and rank here, who would go to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures?卻不望壞了我大唐之帝主也？」太師道：「御弟在上，微臣不敢隱言。Would that not ruin the cause of our sovereign the Emperor of Great Tang?" The Grand Preceptor said, "Sworn Brother, above all, this humble servant dares not hide the truth.我王旨意，原只教求御弟為親，教你三位徒弟赴了會親筵宴，發付領給，倒換關文，往西天取經去哩。」行者道：「太師說得有理。Our Queen's decree was only that she seeks the sworn brother's own hand in marriage; your three disciples are to attend the wedding banquet, and then be given their travel permit, their passport renewed, and sent off to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures." Wukong said, "The Grand Preceptor speaks reasonably.我等不必作難，情願留下師父，與你主為夫。There is no need for us to make difficulties — we are willing to leave our master behind to become your sovereign's husband.快換關文，打發我們西去。Quickly renew our passport and send us off to the west.待取經回來，好到此拜爺娘，討盤纏，回大唐也。」那太師與驛丞對行者作禮道：「多謝老師玉成之恩。」八戒道：「太師，切莫要口裡擺菜碟兒。Once we have fetched the scriptures and are on our way back, we will come here to pay respects to our master's in-laws, beg travel funds, and return to Great Tang." The Grand Preceptor and the postmaster bowed to Wukong and said, "We are deeply grateful to you, teacher, for so graciously bringing this about." Bajie said, "Grand Preceptor, don't just set out empty dishes with your mouth.既然我們許諾，且教你主先安排一席，與我們吃鍾肯酒，如何？」太師道：「有有有，就教擺設筵宴來也。」那驛丞與太師歡天喜地，回奏女主不題。Since we have consented, first have your sovereign arrange a banquet, and let us drink a cup of the betrothal wine — how about that?" The Grand Preceptor said, "Certainly, certainly — I shall have the feast prepared at once." The postmaster and the Grand Preceptor, overjoyed, went back to report to the Queen; we need say no more of that for now.

三藏道：「悟空，凭你怎么说好？」行者道：「依老孙说，你在这里也好。自古道『千里姻缘似线牵』哩，那里再有这般相应处？」三藏道：「徒弟，我们在这里贪图富贵，谁去西天取经？却不望坏了我大唐之帝主也？」太师道：「御弟在上，微臣不敢隐言。我王旨意，原只教求御弟为亲，教你三位徒弟赴了会亲筵宴，发付领给，倒换关文，往西天取经去哩。」行者道：「太师说得有理。我等不必作难，情愿留下师父，与你主为夫。快换关文，打发我们西去。待取经回来，好到此拜爷娘，讨盘缠，回大唐也。」那太师与驿丞对行者作礼道：「多谢老师玉成之恩。」八戒道：「太师，切莫要口里摆菜碟儿。既然我们许诺，且教你主先安排一席，与我们吃钟肯酒，如何？」太师道：「有有有，就教摆设筵宴来也。」那驿丞与太师欢天喜地，回奏女主不题。

卻說唐長老一把扯住行者，罵道：「你這猴頭，弄殺我也，怎麼說出這般話來，教我在此招婚，你們西天拜佛？Now to speak of Tang Sanzang: he grabbed hold of Wukong and scolded him, "You wretched monkey, you'll be the death of me! How could you say such a thing, telling me to marry into this place while the rest of you go worship the Buddha in the west?我就死也不敢如此。」行者道：「師父放心，老孫豈不知你性情，但只是到此地，遇此人，不得不將計就計。」三藏道：「怎麼叫做將計就計？」行者道：「你若使住法兒不允他，他便不肯倒換關文，不放我們走路。I would rather die than agree to such a thing." Wukong said, "Master, set your mind at ease — how could old Monkey not know your true nature? It is only that, having come to this place and met with these people, we had no choice but to turn their own scheme to our advantage." Sanzang said, "What do you mean by 'turning their scheme to our advantage'?" Wukong said, "If you had flatly refused them, they would not have renewed our passport, nor let us go on our way.倘或意惡心毒，喝令多人，割了你肉，做甚麼香袋啊，我等豈有善報？And what if their good will had turned to malice, and they had ordered their people to cut the flesh from your body to make scent-bags of it — how could that have ended well for us?一定要使出降魔蕩怪的神通，你知我們的手腳又重，器械又兇，但動動手兒，這一國的人，盡打殺了。We would certainly have had to unleash our powers for subduing demons and sweeping away monsters, and you know how heavy our hands are and how fierce our weapons are — the moment we so much as raised a hand, every soul in this entire kingdom would be struck dead.他雖然阻當我等，卻不是怪物妖精，還是一國人身；Though they may be obstructing our way, they are not demons or evil spirits, but human beings of a whole kingdom, after all;你又平素是個好善慈悲的人，在路上一靈不損：若打殺無限的平人，你心何忍，誠為不善了也。」三藏聽說，道：「悟空，此論最善。and you yourself have always been a man of kindness and compassion, never harming a single living soul on the road — if we were to strike down countless innocent people, how could your heart bear it? That truly would be an unrighteous act." Hearing this, Sanzang said, "Wukong, this reasoning is excellent indeed.但恐女主招我進去，要行夫婦之禮，我怎肯喪元陽，敗壞了佛家德行？But I fear that once the Queen has taken me inside, she will wish to perform the rites of husband and wife — how could I bear to lose my primal yang and ruin the virtuous conduct of our Buddhist faith?走真精，墜落了本教人身？」行者道：「今日准了親事，他一定以皇帝禮，擺駕出城接你。To let my true essence be spent, and fall from my station among the followers of our teaching?" Wukong said, "Once the marriage is agreed to today, she will certainly send her carriage out of the city with full imperial ceremony to receive you.你更不要推辭，就坐他鳳輦龍車，登寶殿，面南坐下。You must not decline any further — simply mount her phoenix carriage and dragon chariot, ascend to the jeweled hall, and sit facing south.問女王取出御寶印信來，宣我們兄弟進朝，把通關文牒用了印，再請女王寫個手字花押，僉押了交付與我們。Ask the Queen to bring out her royal seal and credentials, and have us three brothers summoned into the court, so that our passport may be stamped with the seal; then ask the Queen to sign it with her own hand and affix her mark, and hand it over to us.一壁廂教擺筵宴，就當與女王會喜，就與我們送行。At the same time, have her arrange a banquet, both to celebrate her joyous union with you and to see us off on our journey.待筵宴已畢，再叫排駕，只說送我們三人出城，回來與女王配合。Once the banquet is over, have her order the procession made ready again, saying it is only to escort the three of us out of the city — and that she will return afterward to be joined with you.哄得他君臣歡悅，更無阻擋之心，亦不起毒惡之念。In this way we shall keep both ruler and ministers pleased, with no thought of hindering us and no wicked intentions arising.卻待送出城外，你下了龍車鳳輦，教沙僧伺候左右，伏侍你騎上白馬；Then, just as they are escorting us out of the city, you get down from the dragon carriage and phoenix chariot, and have Sha Seng attend on you and help you mount the white horse;老孫卻使個定身法兒，教他君臣人等皆不能動，我們順大路只管西行。and old Monkey will then cast a body-binding spell, so that ruler and ministers alike are unable to move, while the rest of us go straight on along the main road westward.行得一晝夜，我卻念個咒，解了術法，還教他君臣們甦醒回城。After we have traveled a day and a night, I will recite an incantation to release the spell, letting the ruler and her ministers awaken and return to the city.一則不傷了他的性命，二來不損了你的元神。In this way, first, we do no harm to their lives, and second, we do no damage to your true spirit.這叫做『假親脫網』之計，豈非一舉兩全之美也？」三藏聞言，如醉方醒，似夢初覺，樂以忘憂，稱謝不盡道：「深感賢徒高見。」四眾同心合意，正自商量不題。This is what is called the scheme of 'a false marriage to slip the net' — is this not a plan that serves both purposes at once, to everyone's benefit?" Hearing this, Sanzang felt as though waking from drunkenness, as though rousing from a dream; his joy banished all his cares, and he thanked Wukong over and over, saying, "I am deeply grateful for my worthy disciple's excellent plan." The four of them, of one mind and purpose, fell to discussing it together; we need say no more of that for now.

却说唐长老一把扯住行者，骂道：「你这猴头，弄杀我也，怎么说出这般话来，教我在此招婚，你们西天拜佛？我就死也不敢如此。」行者道：「师父放心，老孙岂不知你性情，但只是到此地，遇此人，不得不将计就计。」三藏道：「怎么叫做将计就计？」行者道：「你若使住法儿不允他，他便不肯倒换关文，不放我们走路。倘或意恶心毒，喝令多人，割了你肉，做甚么香袋啊，我等岂有善报？一定要使出降魔荡怪的神通，你知我们的手脚又重，器械又凶，但动动手儿，这一国的人，尽打杀了。他虽然阻当我等，却不是怪物妖精，还是一国人身；你又平素是个好善慈悲的人，在路上一灵不损：若打杀无限的平人，你心何忍，诚为不善了也。」三藏听说，道：「悟空，此论最善。但恐女主招我进去，要行夫妇之礼，我怎肯丧元阳，败坏了佛家德行？走真精，坠落了本教人身？」行者道：「今日准了亲事，他一定以皇帝礼，摆驾出城接你。你更不要推辞，就坐他凤辇龙车，登宝殿，面南坐下。问女王取出御宝印信来，宣我们兄弟进朝，把通关文牒用了印，再请女王写个手字花押，佥押了交付与我们。一壁厢教摆筵宴，就当与女王会喜，就与我们送行。待筵宴已毕，再叫排驾，只说送我们三人出城，回来与女王配合。哄得他君臣欢悦，更无阻挡之心，亦不起毒恶之念。却待送出城外，你下了龙车凤辇，教沙僧伺候左右，伏侍你骑上白马；老孙却使个定身法儿，教他君臣人等皆不能动，我们顺大路只管西行。行得一昼夜，我却念个咒，解了术法，还教他君臣们甦醒回城。一则不伤了他的性命，二来不损了你的元神。这叫做『假亲脱网』之计，岂非一举两全之美也？」三藏闻言，如醉方醒，似梦初觉，乐以忘忧，称谢不尽道：「深感贤徒高见。」四众同心合意，正自商量不题。

卻說那太師與驛丞不等宣詔，直入朝門白玉階前，奏道：「主公佳夢最準，魚水之歡就矣。」女王聞奏，捲珠簾，下龍床，啟櫻唇，露銀齒，笑盈盈嬌聲問曰：「賢卿見御弟，怎麼說來？」太師道：「臣等到驛，拜見御弟畢，即備言求親之事。Now to speak of the Grand Preceptor and the postmaster: without waiting to be summoned, they went straight to the court, before the white jade steps, and reported, "Your Majesty's fine dream has proven most accurate — the joy of fish and water is at hand." Hearing this report, the Queen rolled up the pearl curtain, came down from her dragon bed, parted her cherry lips to show her silver teeth, and asked with a smiling, tender voice, "Worthy minister, when you saw the sworn brother, what did he say?" The Grand Preceptor said, "Your servants went to the post-house, and after paying our respects to the sworn brother, at once explained in full our request for marriage.御弟還有推托之辭，幸虧他大徒弟慨然見允，願留他師父與我王為夫，面南稱帝。The sworn brother still had words of refusal, but fortunately his eldest disciple readily consented on his behalf, willing to leave his master behind to become Your Majesty's consort and sit facing south as sovereign.只教先倒換關文，打發他三人西去；He asked only that the passport be renewed first, so that the three disciples might be sent off to the west;取得經回，卻到此拜認爺娘，討盤費回大唐也。」女王笑道：「御弟再有何說？」太師奏道：「御弟不言，願配我主。once they have fetched the scriptures and returned, they will come here to pay their respects to their master's in-laws and beg travel funds to return to Great Tang." The Queen said with a smile, "Did the sworn brother have anything else to say?" The Grand Preceptor reported, "The sworn brother said nothing himself, but is willing to be matched with Your Majesty.只是他那二徒弟，先要吃席肯酒。」It is only that his second disciple asks first for a cup of the betrothal wine at a feast."

却说那太师与驿丞不等宣诏，直入朝门白玉阶前，奏道：「主公佳梦最准，鱼水之欢就矣。」女王闻奏，卷珠帘，下龙床，启樱唇，露银齿，笑盈盈娇声问曰：「贤卿见御弟，怎么说来？」太师道：「臣等到驿，拜见御弟毕，即备言求亲之事。御弟还有推托之辞，幸亏他大徒弟慨然见允，愿留他师父与我王为夫，面南称帝。只教先倒换关文，打发他三人西去；取得经回，却到此拜认爷娘，讨盘费回大唐也。」女王笑道：「御弟再有何说？」太师奏道：「御弟不言，愿配我主。只是他那二徒弟，先要吃席肯酒。」

女王聞言，即傳旨，教光祿寺排宴。Hearing this, the Queen at once issued a decree ordering the Court of Imperial Entertainments to prepare a banquet.一壁廂排大駕，出城迎接夫君。At the same time, she ordered her grand procession made ready, to go out of the city to receive her husband.眾女官即欽遵王命，打掃宮殿，鋪設庭臺。All the woman officials, respectfully obeying the royal command, swept and cleaned the palace halls and laid out the courtyards and terraces.一班兒擺宴的，火速安排；One group set about preparing the banquet in great haste;一班兒擺駕的，流星整備。another group made the imperial procession ready with the speed of shooting stars.你看那西梁國雖是婦女之邦，那鑾輿不亞中華之盛。Behold — though the Kingdom of Western Liang was a realm of women, its imperial procession was in no way inferior to the grandeur of China itself.但見：Behold:

女王闻言，即传旨，教光禄寺排宴。一壁厢排大驾，出城迎接夫君。众女官即钦遵王命，打扫宫殿，铺设庭台。一班儿摆宴的，火速安排；一班儿摆驾的，流星整备。你看那西梁国虽是妇女之邦，那銮舆不亚中华之盛。但见：

不多時，大駕出城，早到迎陽館驛。Before long, the great procession came out of the city and soon arrived at the Welcoming Yang Post-House.忽有人報三藏師徒道：「駕到了。」三藏聞言，即與三徒整衣出廳迎駕。Suddenly someone reported to Sanzang and his disciples, "The procession has arrived." Hearing this, Sanzang at once, together with his three disciples, straightened his robes and went out of the hall to receive the Queen.女王捲簾下輦道：「那一位是唐朝御弟？」太師指道：「那驛門外香案前穿襴衣者便是。」女王閃鳳目，簇蛾眉，仔細觀看，果然一表非凡。The Queen rolled up the curtain and stepped down from her carriage, saying, "Which one is the sworn brother of Tang?" The Grand Preceptor pointed and said, "The one standing before the incense table outside the post-house gate, wearing the cassock, is he." The Queen opened her phoenix eyes wide, arched her moth-like brows, and looked closely — and indeed he was a man of extraordinary bearing.你看他：Look at him:

不多时，大驾出城，早到迎阳馆驿。忽有人报三藏师徒道：「驾到了。」三藏闻言，即与三徒整衣出厅迎驾。女王卷帘下辇道：「那一位是唐朝御弟？」太师指道：「那驿门外香案前穿襕衣者便是。」女王闪凤目，簇蛾眉，仔细观看，果然一表非凡。你看他：

女王看到那心歡意美之處，不覺淫情汲汲，愛慾恣恣，展放櫻桃小口，呼道：「大唐御弟，還不來占鳳乘鸞也？」三藏聞言，耳紅面赤，羞答答不敢擡頭。As the Queen gazed upon him, her heart filled with delight, unable to help herself, her passion stirring and her desire unrestrained; she parted her cherry-red mouth and called out, "Sworn brother of Tang, will you not come now and claim your phoenix, and mount your simurgh?" Hearing this, Sanzang's ears and face flushed red, and in his shame he dared not raise his head.

女王看到那心欢意美之处，不觉淫情汲汲，爱欲恣恣，展放樱桃小口，呼道：「大唐御弟，还不来占凤乘鸾也？」三藏闻言，耳红面赤，羞答答不敢抬头。

豬八戒在傍，掬著嘴，餳眼觀看那女王，卻也嬝娜。Bajie, standing by, poked out his lips and gazed with half-shut, lustful eyes at the Queen — who was indeed graceful and lovely.真個：Indeed:

猪八戒在傍，掬著嘴，饧眼观看那女王，却也嬝娜。真个：

那獃子看到好處，忍不住口嘴流涎，心頭撞鹿，一時間骨軟筋麻，好便似雪獅子向火，不覺的都化去也。When the idiot saw how lovely she was, he could not help drooling at the mouth, his heart pounding like a startled deer; in a moment his bones went soft and his sinews numb, just like a snow lion set before a fire, melting away without his even noticing.

那呆子看到好处，忍不住口嘴流涎，心头撞鹿，一时间骨软筋麻，好便似雪狮子向火，不觉的都化去也。

只見那女王走近前來，一把扯住三藏，俏語嬌聲，叫道：「御弟哥哥，請上龍車，和我同上金鑾寶殿，匹配夫婦去來。」這長老戰兢兢立站不住，似醉如痴。Just then the Queen came forward, took hold of Sanzang's hand, and in a sweet, tender voice called out, "Sworn brother, my lord, please mount the dragon carriage, and let us go together up to the golden hall and jeweled throne, to be joined as husband and wife." The elder, trembling all over, could barely stand, as though drunk or in a daze.行者在側教道：「師父不必太謙，請共師娘上輦。Wukong, at his side, urged him, "Master, there is no need for such excessive modesty — please go up into the carriage together with our lady mother.快快倒換關文，等我們取經去罷。」長老不敢回言，把行者抹了兩抹，止不住落下淚來。Quickly have the passport renewed, and let us be on our way to fetch the scriptures." The elder dared not reply, only glanced at Wukong twice, and could not hold back tears from falling.行者道：「師父切莫煩惱，這般富貴，不受用還待怎麼哩？」三藏沒及奈何，只得依從，揩了眼淚，強整歡容，移步近前，與女主：Wukong said, "Master, do not fret so — with such wealth and glory as this, if you do not enjoy it now, what are you waiting for?" Having no other choice, Sanzang had to comply; he wiped away his tears, forced a cheerful expression, and stepped forward toward the Queen:

只见那女王走近前来，一把扯住三藏，俏语娇声，叫道：「御弟哥哥，请上龙车，和我同上金銮宝殿，匹配夫妇去来。」这长老战兢兢立站不住，似醉如痴。行者在侧教道：「师父不必太谦，请共师娘上辇。快快倒换关文，等我们取经去罢。」长老不敢回言，把行者抹了两抹，止不住落下泪来。行者道：「师父切莫烦恼，这般富贵，不受用还待怎么哩？」三藏没及奈何，只得依从，揩了眼泪，强整欢容，移步近前，与女主：

那些文武官見主公與長老同登鳳輦，並肩而坐，一個個眉花眼笑，撥轉儀從，復入城中。When the civil and military officials saw their sovereign and the elder mount the phoenix carriage together and sit side by side, every one of them beamed with delight, and turned the escort around to re-enter the city.孫大聖才教沙僧挑著行李，牽著白馬，隨大駕後邊同行。The Great Sage Sun then had Sha Seng shoulder the luggage and lead the white horse, following along behind the great procession.豬八戒往前亂跑，先到五鳳樓前，嚷道：「好自在，好現成呀。Bajie ran wildly ahead, and was the first to reach the Five Phoenix Tower, where he shouted, "What comfort, what a ready-made feast this is!這個弄不成，這個弄不成，吃了喜酒進親才是。」諕得些執儀從引導的女官，一個個回至駕邊道：「主公，那一個長嘴大耳的，在五鳳樓前嚷道要喜酒吃哩。」女主聞奏，與長老倚香肩，偎並桃腮，開檀口，俏聲叫道：「御弟哥哥，長嘴大耳的是你那個高徒？」三藏道：「是我第二個徒弟。This won't do, this won't do — we ought to drink the wedding wine before going through with the marriage." This so alarmed the woman officials in charge of the escort that they each hurried back to the carriage and said, "Your Majesty, that one with the long snout and big ears is shouting before the Five Phoenix Tower that he wants wedding wine to drink." Hearing this report, the Queen leaned her fragrant shoulder against the elder, pressed her peach-blossom cheek close, opened her sandalwood-scented mouth, and asked in a sweet voice, "Sworn brother, my lord, who is that long-snouted, big-eared disciple of yours?" Sanzang said, "That is my second disciple.他生得食腸寬大，一生要圖口肥，須是先安排些酒食與他吃了，方可行事。」女主急問：「光祿寺安排筵宴，完否？」女官奏道：「已完，設了葷素兩樣，在東閣上哩。」女王又問：「怎麼兩樣？」女官奏道：「臣恐唐朝御弟與高徒等平素吃齋，故有葷素兩樣。」女王卻又笑吟吟，偎著長老的香腮道：「御弟哥哥，你吃葷吃素？」三藏道：「貧僧吃素，但是未曾戒酒。He was born with a great capacity for food, and all his life has craved rich fare — he must first be given some wine and food to eat before matters can proceed." The Queen at once asked, "Has the Court of Imperial Entertainments finished preparing the banquet?" A woman official reported, "It is finished; two kinds of dishes, meat and vegetarian, have been laid out in the East Pavilion." The Queen then asked, "Why two kinds?" The official reported, "Your servant feared that the sworn brother of Tang and his disciples might ordinarily eat only vegetarian fare, and so prepared both meat and vegetarian dishes." The Queen then, smiling sweetly, pressed her cheek close to the elder's and said, "Sworn brother, my lord, will you eat meat or vegetarian fare?" Sanzang said, "This poor monk eats only vegetarian food, but I have not yet forsworn wine.須得幾杯素酒，與我二徒弟吃些。」I need only a few cups of vegetarian wine, and let my second disciple have some as well."

那些文武官见主公与长老同登凤辇，并肩而坐，一个个眉花眼笑，拨转仪从，复入城中。孙大圣才教沙僧挑著行李，牵著白马，随大驾后边同行。猪八戒往前乱跑，先到五凤楼前，嚷道：「好自在，好现成呀。这个弄不成，这个弄不成，吃了喜酒进亲才是。」諕得些执仪从引导的女官，一个个回至驾边道：「主公，那一个长嘴大耳的，在五凤楼前嚷道要喜酒吃哩。」女主闻奏，与长老倚香肩，偎并桃腮，开檀口，俏声叫道：「御弟哥哥，长嘴大耳的是你那个高徒？」三藏道：「是我第二个徒弟。他生得食肠宽大，一生要图口肥，须是先安排些酒食与他吃了，方可行事。」女主急问：「光禄寺安排筵宴，完否？」女官奏道：「已完，设了荤素两样，在东阁上哩。」女王又问：「怎么两样？」女官奏道：「臣恐唐朝御弟与高徒等平素吃斋，故有荤素两样。」女王却又笑吟吟，偎著长老的香腮道：「御弟哥哥，你吃荤吃素？」三藏道：「贫僧吃素，但是未曾戒酒。须得几杯素酒，与我二徒弟吃些。」

說未了，太師啟奏：「請赴東閣會宴。Before he had finished speaking, the Grand Preceptor reported, "I beg you to proceed to the East Pavilion for the wedding banquet.今宵吉日良辰，就可與御弟爺爺成親。Tonight is an auspicious day and a fine hour — this would be the moment for the sworn brother, my lord, to be married."明日天開黃道，請御弟爺爺登寶殿，面南，改年號即位。」女王大喜，即與長老攜手相攙，下了龍車，共入端門裡。"Tomorrow the heavens open an auspicious day; I ask Imperial Brother-in-law to ascend the throne hall, face south, change the reign title, and take the throne." The Queen was overjoyed, and at once took the elder's hand to support him, descended from the dragon carriage, and together they entered through the Duan Gate.但見那：Behold:

说未了，太师启奏：「请赴东阁会宴。今宵吉日良辰，就可与御弟爷爷成亲。明日天开黄道，请御弟爷爷登宝殿，面南，改年号即位。」女王大喜，即与长老携手相搀，下了龙车，共入端门里。但见那：

既至東閣之下，又聞得一派笙歌聲韻美，又見兩行紅粉貌嬌嬈。Once they reached beneath the East Pavilion, they heard a stream of sheng-and-song music, sweet and melodious, and saw two rows of rouged beauties, delicate and charming.正中堂排設兩般盛宴：左邊上首是素筵，右邊上首是葷筵。In the very center hall two sumptuous banquets were laid out: at the upper seat on the left was a vegetarian feast, at the upper seat on the right was a meat feast.下兩路盡是單席。Below, the two rows were all single place-settings.那女王斂袍袖，十指尖尖，奉著玉杯，便來安席。The Queen gathered her robe sleeves, her ten fingers slender and delicate, holding up a jade cup, and came to seat the guests.行者近前道：「我師徒都是吃素，先請師父坐了左手素席，轉下三席，分左右，我兄弟們好坐。」太師喜道：「正是，正是。Xingzhe stepped forward and said, "Master and disciples all eat vegetarian food. Please first seat Master at the vegetarian feast on the left hand, then arrange three seats below, divided left and right, so that we brothers may sit." The Grand Preceptor said happily, "Just so, just so.師徒如父子也，不可並肩。」眾女官連忙調了席面。Master and disciple are like father and son — they must not sit shoulder to shoulder." The women officials hastily rearranged the seating.女王一一傳杯，安了他弟兄三位。The Queen personally passed the cups one by one, seating the three brothers.行者又與唐僧丟個眼色，教師父回禮。Xingzhe then shot a glance at Tang Seng, signaling Master to return the courtesy.三藏下來，卻也擎玉杯，與女王安席。Sanzang came down and likewise raised a jade cup, seating the Queen in turn.那些文武官朝上拜謝了皇恩，各依品從，分坐兩邊，才住了音樂請酒。The civil and military officials bowed toward the throne in thanks for the imperial favor, then seated themselves on both sides according to rank; only then did the music pause and the wine be offered.

既至东阁之下，又闻得一派笙歌声韵美，又见两行红粉貌娇娆。正中堂排设两般盛宴：左边上首是素筵，右边上首是荤筵。下两路尽是单席。那女王敛袍袖，十指尖尖，奉著玉杯，便来安席。行者近前道：「我师徒都是吃素，先请师父坐了左手素席，转下三席，分左右，我兄弟们好坐。」太师喜道：「正是，正是。师徒如父子也，不可并肩。」众女官连忙调了席面。女王一一传杯，安了他弟兄三位。行者又与唐僧丢个眼色，教师父回礼。三藏下来，却也擎玉杯，与女王安席。那些文武官朝上拜谢了皇恩，各依品从，分坐两边，才住了音乐请酒。

那八戒那管好歹，放開肚子，只情吃起。As for Bajie, he cared nothing for propriety — he let his belly loose and simply ate without restraint.也不管甚麼玉屑、米飯、蒸餅、糖糕、蘑菇、香蕈、筍芽，木耳、黃花菜、石花菜、紫菜、蔓菁、芋頭、蘿菔、山藥、黃精，一骨辣噇了個罄盡。Never mind what it was — jade-flake rice, steamed cakes, sugar cakes, mushrooms, fragrant fungus, bamboo shoots, wood-ear fungus, day-lily buds, agar, laver, turnips, taro, radish, yam, Solomon's-seal root — he gulped it all down at one go until nothing was left.喝了五七杯酒。He drank down five or seven cups of wine.口裡嚷道：「看添換來，拿大觥來，再吃幾觥，各人幹事去。」沙僧問道：「好筵席不吃，還要幹甚事？」獃子笑道：「古人云：『造弓的造弓，造箭的造箭。』我們如今招的招，嫁的嫁，取經的還去取經，走路的還去走路，莫只管貪杯誤事。He shouted, "Bring more, fetch the big goblets, let me drink a few more rounds, and then each of us go about his business." Sha Seng asked, "There's a fine feast here to eat — what other business is there to attend to?" The idiot laughed and said, "The ancients said: 'Let the bow-maker make bows, let the arrow-maker make arrows.' Now among us, the one to be married-in gets married-in, the one to be wed gets wed, the one going to fetch scriptures still goes to fetch scriptures, and the one walking the road still walks the road — don't let greed for wine spoil matters.快早兒打發關文。Quickly get the travel rescript issued.正是將軍不下馬，各自奔前程。」女王聞說，即命取大杯來。Just as the saying goes, 'The general does not dismount — each presses on toward his own road ahead.'" When the Queen heard this, she at once ordered that large cups be brought.近侍官連忙取幾個鸚鵡杯、鸕鶿杓、金叵羅、銀鑿落、玻璃盞、水晶盆、蓬萊碗、琥珀鍾，滿斟玉液，連注瓊漿，果然都各飲一巡。The attendant officials hastily fetched several parrot cups, cormorant ladles, gold bowls, silver dippers, glass goblets, crystal basins, Penglai bowls, and amber cups, filling them brim-full with jade-nectar wine and pouring cup after cup of the fine liquor, and indeed everyone drank a full round.

那八戒那管好歹，放开肚子，只情吃起。也不管甚么玉屑、米饭、蒸饼、糖糕、蘑菇、香蕈、笋芽，木耳、黄花菜、石花菜、紫菜、蔓菁、芋头、萝菔、山药、黄精，一骨辣噇了个罄尽。喝了五七杯酒。口里嚷道：「看添换来，拿大觥来，再吃几觥，各人干事去。」沙僧问道：「好筵席不吃，还要干甚事？」呆子笑道：「古人云：『造弓的造弓，造箭的造箭。』我们如今招的招，嫁的嫁，取经的还去取经，走路的还去走路，莫只管贪杯误事。快早儿打发关文。正是将军不下马，各自奔前程。」女王闻说，即命取大杯来。近侍官连忙取几个鹦鹉杯、鸬鹚杓、金叵罗、银凿落、玻璃盏、水晶盆、蓬莱碗、琥珀钟，满斟玉液，连注琼浆，果然都各饮一巡。

三藏欠身而起，對女王合掌道：「陛下，多蒙盛設，酒已夠了。Sanzang rose slightly, and pressing his palms together toward the Queen, said, "Your Majesty, I am most grateful for this lavish feast, but I have had enough wine.請登寶殿，倒換關文，趕天早，送他三人出城罷。」女王依言，攜著長老，散了筵宴，上金鑾寶殿，即讓長老即位。Please ascend the throne hall to have the travel rescript stamped and returned, so that while it is still early we may send these three out of the city." The Queen followed his words, took the elder's hand, and the banquet broke up; they went up to the Golden Hall, where she at once offered to yield the throne to the elder.三藏道：「不可，不可。Sanzang said, "No, no, that will not do.適太師言過，明日天開黃道，貧僧才敢即位稱孤。Just now the Grand Preceptor said that tomorrow the heavens open an auspicious day — only then would this poor monk dare to take the throne and call himself sovereign.今日即印關文，打發他去也。」女王依言，仍坐了龍床，即取金交椅一張，放在龍床左手，請唐僧坐了。Today let the rescript simply be stamped, and let him be sent on his way." The Queen followed his words and sat again upon the dragon throne, then had a gold folding chair brought and placed at the left hand of the throne, inviting Tang Seng to sit.叫徒弟們拿上通關文牒來。She called for the disciples to bring up the pass-through travel document.大聖便教沙僧解開包袱，取出關文。The Great Sage told Sha Seng to untie the bundle and take out the rescript.大聖將關文雙手捧上。The Great Sage held up the rescript in both hands and presented it.那女王細看一番，上有大唐皇帝寶印九顆，下有寶象國印、烏雞國印、車遲國印。The Queen examined it carefully; on it were nine seals of the Emperor of Great Tang, and below them the seals of Bao Xiang Guo, Wuji Guo, and Chechi Guo.女王看罷，嬌滴滴笑語道：「御弟哥哥又姓陳？」三藏道：「俗家姓陳，法名玄奘。When the Queen had finished looking, she said with a coquettish smile, "So Imperial Brother's surname is Chen?" Sanzang said, "My lay surname is Chen; my Dharma name is Xuanzang.因我唐王聖恩認為御弟，賜姓我為唐也。」女王道：「關文上如何沒有高徒之名？」三藏道：「三個頑徒，不是我唐朝人物。」女王道：「既不是你唐朝人物，為何肯隨你來？」三藏道：「大的個徒弟，祖貫東勝神洲傲來國人氏；By the sacred grace of the Tang King, who took me as his sworn brother, he bestowed upon me the surname Tang." The Queen said, "Why are your worthy disciples' names not on the rescript?" Sanzang said, "My three unruly disciples are not natives of my Tang realm." The Queen said, "If they are not natives of your Tang realm, why are they willing to follow you?" Sanzang said, "My eldest disciple is by ancestry a native of Aolai Guo in the Eastern Purvavideha Continent;第二個乃西牛賀洲烏斯莊人氏；the second is a native of Wusi Zhuang in the Western Aparagodaniya Continent;第三個乃流沙河人氏：他三人都因罪犯天條，南海觀世音菩薩解脫他苦，秉善皈依，將功折罪，情願保護我上西天取經。the third is a native of the Flowing-Sand River. All three, having committed offenses against the laws of Heaven, were delivered from their suffering by the Bodhisattva Guanyin of the South Sea; embracing goodness, they took refuge in the faith, and to atone for their crimes through merit, they willingly agreed to protect me on my journey to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures.皆是途中收得，故此未註法名在牒。」女王道：「我與你添註法名，好麼？」三藏道：「但憑陛下尊意。」女王即令取墨筆來，濃磨香翰，飽潤香毫，牒文之後，寫上孫悟空、豬悟能、沙悟淨三人名諱。All were taken on along the road, and so their Dharma names were never recorded on the document." The Queen said, "Shall I add their Dharma names for you?" Sanzang said, "Whatever pleases Your Majesty." The Queen at once ordered ink and brush brought, ground the ink thick and fragrant, soaked the fragrant brush full, and at the end of the document wrote in the names Sun Wukong, Zhu Wuneng, and Sha Wujing.卻才取出御印，端端正正印了；Only then did she take out the imperial seal and stamp it neatly and squarely;又畫個手字花押。and further drew a signature flourish in her own hand.傳將下去。She then passed it down.孫大聖接了，教沙僧包裹停當。The Great Sage Sun received it and had Sha Seng wrap it up properly.

三藏欠身而起，对女王合掌道：「陛下，多蒙盛设，酒已够了。请登宝殿，倒换关文，赶天早，送他三人出城罢。」女王依言，携著长老，散了筵宴，上金銮宝殿，即让长老即位。三藏道：「不可，不可。适太师言过，明日天开黄道，贫僧才敢即位称孤。今日即印关文，打发他去也。」女王依言，仍坐了龙床，即取金交椅一张，放在龙床左手，请唐僧坐了。叫徒弟们拿上通关文牒来。大圣便教沙僧解开包袱，取出关文。大圣将关文双手捧上。那女王细看一番，上有大唐皇帝宝印九颗，下有宝象国印、乌鸡国印、车迟国印。女王看罢，娇滴滴笑语道：「御弟哥哥又姓陈？」三藏道：「俗家姓陈，法名玄奘。因我唐王圣恩认为御弟，赐姓我为唐也。」女王道：「关文上如何没有高徒之名？」三藏道：「三个顽徒，不是我唐朝人物。」女王道：「既不是你唐朝人物，为何肯随你来？」三藏道：「大的个徒弟，祖贯东胜神洲傲来国人氏；第二个乃西牛贺洲乌斯庄人氏；第三个乃流沙河人氏：他三人都因罪犯天条，南海观世音菩萨解脱他苦，秉善皈依，将功折罪，情愿保护我上西天取经。皆是途中收得，故此未注法名在牒。」女王道：「我与你添注法名，好么？」三藏道：「但凭陛下尊意。」女王即令取墨笔来，浓磨香翰，饱润香毫，牒文之后，写上孙悟空、猪悟能、沙悟净三人名讳。却才取出御印，端端正正印了；又画个手字花押。传将下去。孙大圣接了，教沙僧包裹停当。

那女王又賜出碎金碎銀一盤，下龍床遞與行者道：「你三人將此權為路費，早上西天；The Queen then bestowed a tray of loose gold and silver, and coming down from the dragon throne, handed it to Xingzhe, saying, "Let you three take this as travel funds, and set off early for the Western Heaven;待汝等取經回來，寡人還有重謝。」行者道：「我們出家人，不受金銀，途中自有乞化之處。」女王見他不受，又取出綾錦十疋，對行者道：「汝等行色匆匆，裁製不及，將此路上做件衣服遮寒。」行者道：「出家人穿不得綾錦，自有護體布衣。」女王見他不受，教：「取御米三升，在路權為一飯。」八戒聽說個「飯」字，便就接了，捎在包袱之間。when you return with the scriptures, I shall reward you still more richly." Xingzhe said, "We who have left the household do not accept gold or silver — along the road there is always somewhere to beg alms." Seeing that he would not accept it, the Queen took out ten bolts of silk damask and said to Xingzhe, "You are traveling in such haste that there is no time to have garments made — take this along the road to make clothes against the cold." Xingzhe said, "Those who have left the household may not wear silk damask; we already have coarse cloth to cover our bodies." Seeing that he would not accept this either, the Queen ordered, "Fetch three sheng of royal rice, to serve along the road as provisions for a meal." When Bajie heard the word "meal," he at once accepted it and tucked it away among the bundles.行者道：「兄弟，行李見今沉重，且倒有氣力挑米？」八戒笑道：「你那裡知道，米好的是個日消貨，只消一頓飯，就了帳也。」遂此合掌謝恩。Xingzhe said, "Brother, the luggage is already heavy — and yet you still have the strength to carry rice?" Bajie laughed and said, "You have no idea — good rice is something used up in a day; it only takes one meal and the matter is settled." So saying, he pressed his palms together in thanks for the favor.

那女王又赐出碎金碎银一盘，下龙床递与行者道：「你三人将此权为路费，早上西天；待汝等取经回来，寡人还有重谢。」行者道：「我们出家人，不受金银，途中自有乞化之处。」女王见他不受，又取出绫锦十疋，对行者道：「汝等行色匆匆，裁制不及，将此路上做件衣服遮寒。」行者道：「出家人穿不得绫锦，自有护体布衣。」女王见他不受，教：「取御米三升，在路权为一饭。」八戒听说个「饭」字，便就接了，捎在包袱之间。行者道：「兄弟，行李见今沉重，且倒有气力挑米？」八戒笑道：「你那里知道，米好的是个日消货，只消一顿饭，就了帐也。」遂此合掌谢恩。

三藏道：「敢煩陛下相同貧僧送他三人出城，待我囑付他們幾句，教他好生西去，我卻回來，與陛下永受榮華，無掛無牽，方可會鸞交鳳友也。」女王不知是計，便傳旨擺駕，與三藏並倚香肌，同登鳳輦，出西城而去。Sanzang said, "May I trouble Your Majesty to accompany this poor monk in seeing the three of them out of the city? Let me charge them with a few words, bidding them go on well toward the West; then I shall return, and with Your Majesty enjoy glory and splendor forever, free of all cares and entanglements — only then may we join as mated phoenixes." Not knowing this was a ruse, the Queen at once ordered the carriage prepared, and leaning her fragrant form close beside Sanzang, mounted the phoenix chariot together with him and set out through the western gate of the city.滿城中都盞添淨水，爐降真香：一則看女王鑾駕，二來看御弟男身。Throughout the whole city, cups were filled anew with pure water and incense burners sent up true fragrance: for one, to view the Queen's royal carriage; for another, to view the Imperial Brother's manly form.沒老沒小，盡是粉容嬌面，綠鬢雲鬟之輩。Young and old alike, all were powdered, delicate-faced folk with dark tresses and cloud-like coiled hair.不多時，大駕出城，到西關之外。Before long, the grand procession left the city and reached the area outside the western pass.

三藏道：「敢烦陛下相同贫僧送他三人出城，待我嘱付他们几句，教他好生西去，我却回来，与陛下永受荣华，无挂无牵，方可会鸾交凤友也。」女王不知是计，便传旨摆驾，与三藏并倚香肌，同登凤辇，出西城而去。满城中都盏添净水，炉降真香：一则看女王銮驾，二来看御弟男身。没老没小，尽是粉容娇面，绿鬓云鬟之辈。不多时，大驾出城，到西关之外。

行者、八戒、沙僧同心合意，結束整齊，徑迎著鑾輿，厲聲高叫道：「那女王不必遠送，我等就此拜別。」長老慢下龍車，對女王拱手道：「陛下請回，讓貧僧取經去也。」女王聞言，大驚失色，扯住唐僧道：「御弟哥哥，我願將一國之富，招你為夫，明日高登寶位，即位稱君，我願為君之后，喜筵通皆吃了，如何卻又變卦？」八戒聽說，發起個風來，把嘴亂扭，耳朵亂搖，闖至駕前，嚷道：「我們和尚家和你這粉骷髏做甚夫妻？Xingzhe, Bajie, and Sha Seng, of one heart and mind, had dressed themselves neatly and now came straight to meet the royal carriage, calling out loudly, "Your Majesty need not see us further — we shall take our leave right here." The elder slowly descended from the dragon carriage and, cupping his hands toward the Queen, said, "Your Majesty, please return — let this poor monk go and fetch the scriptures." Hearing this, the Queen was startled out of her wits and, her face draining of color, seized hold of Tang Seng and said, "Imperial Brother, I am willing to give you the wealth of an entire kingdom and take you as my husband; tomorrow you were to ascend the throne and be proclaimed sovereign, and I was willing to be your consort — we have already eaten through the whole wedding banquet, so how can you now go back on your word?" Hearing this, Bajie flew into a fit, twisting his snout wildly and flapping his ears about, and burst in front of the carriage shouting, "Why should we monks be husband and wife with you, you powdered skeleton?放我師父走路。」那女王見他那等撒潑弄醜，諕得魂飛魄散，跌入輦駕之中。Let our master go on his way!" Seeing him behaving so wildly and hideously, the Queen was frightened out of her soul and fell back into the carriage.沙僧卻把三藏搶出人叢，伏侍上馬。Sha Seng then pulled Sanzang out of the crowd and helped him mount his horse.

行者、八戒、沙僧同心合意，结束整齐，径迎著銮舆，厉声高叫道：「那女王不必远送，我等就此拜别。」长老慢下龙车，对女王拱手道：「陛下请回，让贫僧取经去也。」女王闻言，大惊失色，扯住唐僧道：「御弟哥哥，我愿将一国之富，招你为夫，明日高登宝位，即位称君，我愿为君之后，喜筵通皆吃了，如何却又变卦？」八戒听说，发起个风来，把嘴乱扭，耳朵乱摇，闯至驾前，嚷道：「我们和尚家和你这粉骷髅做甚夫妻？放我师父走路。」那女王见他那等撒泼弄丑，諕得魂飞魄散，跌入辇驾之中。沙僧却把三藏抢出人丛，伏侍上马。

只見那路傍閃出一個女子，喝道：「唐御弟，那裡走？Just then, a woman suddenly appeared at the roadside and shouted, "Imperial Brother Tang, where are you going?我和你耍風月兒去來。」沙僧罵道：「賊輩無知！」掣寶杖劈頭就打。Come along with me for a bit of romance." Sha Seng cursed, "You ignorant thief!" and pulled out his precious staff, striking straight at her head.那女子弄陣旋風，嗚的一聲，把唐僧攝將去了，無影無蹤，不知下落何處。The woman conjured up a whirlwind, and with a whooshing sound, snatched Tang Seng away, vanishing without a trace, so that no one knew where he had gone.咦！Ah!正是：Truly:

只见那路傍闪出一个女子，喝道：「唐御弟，那里走？我和你耍风月儿去来。」沙僧骂道：「贼辈无知！」掣宝杖劈头就打。那女子弄阵旋风，呜的一声，把唐僧摄将去了，无影无踪，不知下落何处。咦！正是：

畢竟不知那女子是人是怪，老師父的性命得死得生，且聽下回分解。In the end, whether that woman was human or demon, and whether the old master's life would be lost or spared, is not yet known — listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

毕竟不知那女子是人是怪，老师父的性命得死得生，且听下回分解。